Ryan Day explains what traits Dwayne Haskins had as talented quarterback

Dwayne Haskins was special during his record-breaking Ohio State career, and Ryan Day got a first-hand look at his development into a star. He had some traits that helped him become the ultra-talented Buckeyes quarterback.

Day pointed to four traits in particular to describe Haskins, who suddenly passed away over the weekend. Haskins’ breakout 2018 season was Day’s second season as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator, and that season is largely seen as a program-altering campaign.

But it takes more than just a good arm to throw for 50 touchdowns and more than 4,800 yards in a season. Day explained what else Haskins did that stood out.

“I would say the traits were anticipation, off the charts,” Day said. “His throwing motion, the way the ball came out, was special. Poise. He’d get the ball up quickly. It didn’t take long for him to see it and get out. I’d say those are the big ones.”

After that season, Haskins went on to become the No. 15 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders. He headed to the Pittsburgh Steelers after two years in D.C., and he was reportedly in South Florida training with Steelers teammates after the franchise offered him a new contract for the 2022 season.

Tributes came in from across the football world after the news came out. Some fellow Ohio State players and some of Haskins’ former NFL teammates took to social media to react, including Justin Fields, who took over as the starter after Haskins went pro. CJ Stroud, who’s getting ready for his second year as the starter, wears the same No. 7 jersey Haskins wore, and he paid tribute during practice on Monday.

Ryan Day tries to make sense of Dwayne Haskins’ death

The tragic death of former Ohio State and NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins is still rocking the football world. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is still trying to understand why something so horrible could happen to such a great person. Day revealed how he tried to cope upon hearing the news over the weekend.

“We were in the car the other day, and we were up in a little camp that that he went to and we were driving back and trying to wrap our minds around it and I I didn’t really have anything good to tell them, really,” Day said. “I couldn’t quite understand what to think of it all. It just very confusing, sad, but it makes you hug your loved ones a little bit more and you just understand how fragile life is, but something like this is difficult to explain.”

Day even admitted that he doesn’t believe he would be the current Ohio State head coach if it were not for the remarkable season the Buckeyes put together in 2018 with Haskins at quarterback and Day as offensive coordinator. Haskins only played one season as the full-time starter in Columbus, but Day worked side-by-side as the young gunslinger put together a remarkable campaign.